Matthew 11:11
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| Matthew 11:11 | |
|---|---|
← 11:10 11:12 → | |
| Book | Gospel of Matthew |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 11:11 is the eleventh verse in the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.
In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort for this verse is:
- Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐκ ἐγήγερται ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν μείζων Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ· ὁ δὲ μικρότερος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν μείζων αὐτοῦ ἐστιν.
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:
- Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
The New International Version translates the passage as:
- I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Analysis
Luke 7:27 adds the word Prophet: "There has not arisen a greater prophet..." which is thought to have the same sense as here. However, this appears to be contradicted by Deut. 34:11 “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses.” However, the rest of the verse qualifies what is said, “Whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt.” Lapide gives a number of reasons why John was so highly esteemed by Christ: "a standing miracle in his conception, in the womb, in his birth, in his angelic life. He was conceived, by a miracle, of barren parents; by a miracle he recognized Christ in the womb; and saluted and adored him; by a miracle, when he was born he communicated universal gladness; by a miracle, at his circumcision he restored the use of speech to his dumb father; by a miracle, he went when a boy into the desert, and there lived like an angel all his life." He thus concludes, "And so John has the crowns of virginity, prophecy, and martyrdom, in addition to the crown of a doctor."[1]
The final phrase, "But he that is least ..." is said to mean, more blessed and more perfect, more excellent and glorious than John, "who was still a mortal traveler." MacEvilly believes that Christ added these words to move his hearers to follow His course salvation.[2]
